Knights focused on extending Eels’ hoodoo

Newcastle are confident of a return to winning ways on home soil against notoriously poor travellers Parramatta on Sunday.

The Knights were the early surprise package of 2015 when they kicked off the season with four straight wins but their progress has been stalled by back-to-back losses to St George Illawarra and Cronulla.

Rick Stone’s side scored a combined total of just six points in those defeats but centre Dane Gagai said that statistic wasn’t a true reflection of the team that haven’t lost to the Eels since 2009.

“I’m not worried about anything because that’s well below our standards of what we can produce,” Gagai said.

“I guess it’s just about getting in this week and making sure we are doing our extras and just forget about those last two games and just move on.

“There’s still another 20 games left in the season and we are looking forward not looking behind us.”

After stunning South Sydney in round four, the Eels have been comfortably beaten by the Wests Tigers and the Gold Coast in their past two games.

The Eels have lost on their past five visits to Hunter Stadium and been outscored 96-18 in the their two most recent encounters at the venue.

Halfback Chris Sandow, who will make his 150th NRL appearance, alongside skipper Tim Mannah is expecting another stiff test but believes the team have the resolve to end their appalling run of form against the Knights.

“It is going to be tough going up there, Newcastle are a great team especially at home, Sandow said.

“We’ve trained really well, so hopefully we go up there and get the two points but its not going to be handed to us, we expect a tough game but hopefully we can get the win.”

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v PARRAMATTA EELS

MATCH STATS

* The Eels have lost six straight matches away from Parramatta Stadium, the past five of those all by 13 points or more

* The Knights have scored just six points in total in their past two matches; they have not been held to six points or less in three consecutive matches since 1993.

* Akuila Uate has scored 36 tries in his past 35 matches at Hunter Stadium and against the Eels he has scored five tries in his past four matches.

* All Offers and Promotions posted in this article excludes NSW residents.